SummaryWe are delighted to announce our 12 finalists in this year's NASS Awards! The judges have judged and the results are in. We’re delighted to reveal the finalists for the 2026 NASS Awards. Each y...

SummaryIn the week that Andy Burnham took office as Prime Minister, NASS wrote to the new Prime Minister to set out four priorities for SEND reform in a series of briefing papers. In the week that And...

Breakdown of an EHCP-funded placement is one of the most challenging situations for special schools, whether they are maintained by a local authority (LA), academies, independent schools, non-maintain...

By Mari Davis, Senior Policy and Public Affairs Officer, National Association of Special Schools (NASS) Just as many of us were contemplating the great educational challenges of the summer holidays - ...

By Kate Shields, Senior Association in the Education Team, HCR Law On 7th July 2026, the Department for Education (DfE) released the statutory safeguarding guidance, Keeping Children Safe in Education...

🗨️ The experts may be at hand - but where are they coming from? The Government's new Experts at Hand scheme has the potential to bring specialist expertise closer to mainstream settings and strengthe...

This link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn

By Mari Davis, Senior Policy and Public Affairs Officer, National Association of Special Schools (NASS) The publication of the Young People and Work: Interim Report (28th May 2026), led by Alan Milbur...

By Feliciea Jibson , Founder & CEO, and Josianne Pisani, Head of Training and Development, PAGS In special school settings, the most important question is rarely whether a child is making progress. St...

SummaryHero Slinn and Ethan Sumner join NASS Council. We are delighted to welcome two new trustees to the NASS Council: Hero Slinn, Chief Operations Officer at Octavia House Schools Ethan Sumner, Co-F...

‘Bizarre’ government proposals risk lumping together pupils with vastly different needs, and stripping out mental health support, leaders tell Tes

Guest blog by Julie Liddell, Managing Director, Still Human (Part of Edwin People) Working alongside leaders in education, this truth shows up again and again. Behind the role, the responsibility, and...

In special schools, some of the most important progress happens in the smallest moments - a successful transition, a new form of communication, a step towards greater independence. Special school lea...

By Sarah Knight, Founder, The Allergy Team The government has announced it will be publishing new statutory guidance to “transform allergy safety in schools”, taking forward the campaign for Benedict’...

The narrative of SEND reform is also hugely problematic, argues Warren Carratt

Quorn Hall School, an independent special school in Leicestershire, was a 2025 NASS Award finalist in the Innovation category for its pioneering use of the HoNOSCA mental health framework to deepen understanding of pupil needs and transform whole-school practice. The school caters for children and young people with social, emotional and mental health needs, many of whom have additional special educational needs and diagnoses such as autism and ADHD. By moving from observing behaviours to clinically informed insight, the school has created meaningful change that is improving wellbeing, learning and belonging for every student. In this guest blog, Anna Fitzpatrick shares her reflections on how the HoNOSCA framework is changing lives, and how a therapeutic, evidence-led approach is helping students truly thrive. #Innovation #NASSAwards2025 Cavendish Education Group

Leaks suggest plans for a complete redesign of special educational needs and disabilities support in schools.

The government’s announcement about training all teachers in SEND is welcome, but learning environments need to change to deliver inclusion, argues Dr Thomas Keaney

Exclusive: Charities and experts fear changes to special needs education may weaken legal protections

With speculation growing about the long-awaited schools white paper, and no clarity yet on its timing or content, we were pleased to read Lord Blunkett’s opinion piece in The Times yesterday, recognis...

SummaryWith the long-awaited Schools White Paper on the horizon, hopes are high — but so is the risk of disappointment. Drawing on the humour of a festive metaphor, NASS CEO Claire Dorer OBE reflects ...

By Robert Evans, Senior Portfolio Manager at CCLA Investment Management As a NASS-associated special school, you’re no doubt aware that the pressure on school budgets continues to increase. An April 2...

Talking Inclusion… With Geoff Barton · Episode